San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-09
CHAPTER X.-THE FAIRY QUEEN.

When Louis Charters entered the ball
room the first set was just over, and he
paused a moment near the doors, feeling
that he, in his civilian attire, must present
a very homely appearance. He had never
been to a military ball before, and the
crowd of brilliant uniforms, the white or
bright-colored dresses of the women, the
lights, decorations, and flowers made q
really gorgeous tOlu ensemble
But where was Valerie2 His eyes sought
her anxiously, and while he sought he
heard her name:
Miss Herbert cuts them all out" said
mans voice near, and Louis, turning quick
ly, saw two young officers of Hussars.
"There wasn't girl in town this season
to compare with her. She ought to go to
tOwn-she'd be the rage"
"All the fellows are mad to dance with
her." said the other. Didn't she and
Beau look well together! 1t was worth
while to watch them
Eyes, and wasn't Dolly Chantrell mad
at being cut out by dCbutdnte, and mad
with Beau for not paying attention to her
instead of that divine Herbert! There she
is, with Lord DenmOre; he's quite smitten"
Yes, there she was, sauntering slowly
down the room observed of all observers"
leaning on Lord Denmore's arm. Louis,
too, had heard enough. He made his way,
with flushed cheek and beating heart,
through the crowd to Nalerie's side; and
suddenly, as he drew near, his eyes fell
on the bouquet the girl carried, and he al
most caught his breath with the fierce pang
of jealousy that shot through him. Not
his flOwers-nOt his! whose them"
So close he was to Valerie, and she did
not see him! he touched her lightly, and
she turned with start.
"Louisn'
Surprise, some pleasure, but something,
too, that was hardly pleasure, and as she
met his look her own sank, and the blood
rushed to her cheek. She had been wrong,
wrOng-she felt it clearly now; though she
could not comprehend the full measure of
the pain she had inflicted; bnt this was no
time or place for explanations and apology.
Have you only just arrivCd?" she added,
rapidly, for the sake of saying something.
That is all" he answered. a little cold
ly. "Are you engaged for the next set,
Valerie2"
Eyes, the next; but kept the one fol-
lowing for you"
Thanks" He bowed and passed on.
Your friend seems ruffled," remarked
Lord DenmOre, with slightly cynical
smile, as they moved onward.
Valerie was too generous and truthful to
permit the implication that Louis was TO
blame, although she thought he ought not,
on so public an occasion, to have shown
displeasure.
at was my fault that he is So" she re-
turned, gently, and Lord Denmore bit has
lip, feeling that his remark was hardly,
good FORM" yet wondering who this was
whom his lovely companion called "Lnuis, -
and who called her valerie"
Louis, at that moment, was greeted by a
voice he was hardly in the mood to hear
with pleasure; and yet the mellow intoua-
ton, the winning cordiality Modified him
in spite of himself.
"Mr. Charterisl-only just turned up
delighted to see your
And there was Max Beauregard, looking
handsome enough, and with that air dis
tiHgue which is more striking even than
beauty, to make any lover jealous, holding
out his hand.
Louis brow relaxed, he even smiled as
he gave his own hand in reply.
Let me introduce you to some of our
fellows" added BeauregaTd-"an you'll
want partner. l suppose you don't know
many people here? Dallas, touching one
of a group Of Young men standing near.